Rising Star gun drama: There's a lot to unpack in a sad situation
There's a lot to consider in review of the recent situation in the Rising Star ISD.
For sure, it has become a series of sensational stories. Imagine all the out-of-state news outlets jumping on this: Gun-toting Texas teacher leaves firearm in bathroom! Third-grader finds it by potty!
It's a head-shaker at the least. And, of course, ammunition for those who oppose guns and, especially, the gun culture of Texas.
To recap, the superintendent of Rising Star ISD left his gun in the elementary school bathroom.
Two administrators carry, a line of protection at the small-town school. Rising Star is 55 miles southeast of Abilene, a school that now competes at the six-man level. It's small enough that there's one principal for sixth through 12th grades.
The superintendent washed up and left the restroom, minus his gun.
About 15 minutes later, a student found it. The student thankfully did not handle it and reported it. There are no heroes in this story but the student should be commended for doing the right thing. Twice.
The teacher, for some reason, did not check the report personally but sent two more students to confirm it. They did and the superintendent was alerted.
Imagine his embarrassment. And his horror thinking about what could've happened.
The January incident arose only recently when it became public. Parents came to a school board meeting, wanting to know why they were not told. Law enforcement became involved.
It has become a talker.
The superintendent resigned. Another superintendent we talked to knows him and called him a "good guy."
Unfortunate situation on many levels
This is such an unfortunate situation on many levels.
Let's start with the need the carry weapons at schools. Isn't it sad that this is even necessary? We forget that not many years ago, students at rural schools parked pickups on campus with guns used for hunting on racks inside. Some probably didn't lock the doors.
Now, a weapon on campus is forbidden and likely considered a threat.
Teachers in many school districts are allowed to carry. Signs are posted outside, a first-line of defense for schools. Maybe it's being transparent but it's also telling someone with bad intentions they would be met with resistance.
Turn back.
Campuses in Abilene's two public school districts have Abilene police officers at middle and high school campuses.
Rural schools often have fewer options for protection
Rural schools may not have this option.
We remember the novelty of the superintendent of the Harrold school district, about 35 miles northwest of Wichita Falls, being armed on campus. It would take law enforcement 15 or so minutes to get to an incident, David Thweatt said back then.
“We take care of ourselves," Thweatt said. "I don't want to be anybody's victim."
That story made news in 2007, reinforcing Texas' Old West image.
Today? Harrold is hardly alone in taking care of themselves.
It's because the Old West has been reined in by the violence of a modern age.
Safety concerns heighten strain on educators
After the massacre at a school in Uvalde, efforts intensified to secure entrances. In recent years, school campuses have been fenced and visitors routed through a locked, central location so buildings are less vulnerable to an intruder.
All this while dealing with a pandemic and other issues that are dragging down education.
It's not talked about much in discussions about teacher shortages but we're sure some would-be educators consider the increased risk. Shootings are so random that the statement often made that "it could happen anywhere" really is true.
Yet, we don't want schools to come across as fortresses. It's bad enough active-shooter drills now accompany those for tornadoes and fires.
And so, a longtime, respected educator has stepped aside. He made a mistake we all have made: Leaving something behind.
But it wasn't his keys, billfold or coat. It was a gun.
That changes everything. Even those who support the carrying of weapons were taken aback.
We can assume Robbie Stuteville, 74, had been well-trained for his many roles over the years while also learning from experience. Carrying on campus is new just this school year.
Did he ever imagine he would leave a job because of this kind of situation?
"It's a sad day for all of us." acting superintendent Monty Jones said Thursday.
'Ongoing process' for handling gun situations
Mistakes no doubt were made on the handling of the situation. In Abilene, campus incidents are reported via social media to parents. People will quickly hear about things, and not always exactly what happens. A message explaining a situation and how it was handled is important to stifle misinformation and reaction.
That didn't happen at Rising Star, and the district has learned a hard lesson. A valid point was made by Jones.
"This is new for all of us. It's an ongoing process to where we're on a learning curve," he said.
But when guns are involved, the consequences ramp up.
Other school districts should take note and review their own protocols.
We all should review what happened, asking ourselves how we got ourselves into this jam and what can we do to resolve it.
Can open carry give way to open campuses again?
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Rising Star gun drama: There's a lot to unpack in a sad situation
